1910.177(g)(6): Inflate Tires Only When Restrained
Employers must make sure tires are inflated only when contained within a restraining device, positioned behind a barrier, or bolted on the vehicle with the lug nuts fully tightened.
Key takeaways
- 1910.177(g)(6) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart N).
- OSHA cited it 16 times in the last 3 years, in 16 inspections, with $80,203 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: FL (3), UT (3), VA (2).
- Related part: 1910.177(g) Safe operating procedure—single piece rim wheels (37 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.177(g)(6) is one requirement inside 1910.177 Servicing multi-piece and single piece rim wheels, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart N). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(6) Tires may be inflated only when contained within a restraining device, positioned behind a barrier or bolted on the vehicle with the lug nuts fully tightened. 16 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.177.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.177(g)(6).
At 12:42 p.m. on August 5, 2024, an employee was filling dump truck tires with air. The employee was filling up a tire with air, but not in a tire cage. When the tire blew, it struck the employee in the head, killing him.
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: FL (3), UT (3), VA (2), WI (1), NC (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| EDWIN JOSUE MARTINEZ-LOPEZ | ROANOKE, VA | $16,287 |
| CIRCLE T LOGISTICS INC | MARION, OH | $16,000 |
| UTNS LLC | HIGHLAND, UT | $13,125 |
| BRIDGESTONE RETAIL OPERATIONS, LLC | CAPE CORAL, FL | $9,219 |
| 155072 - CAROLINA FREIGHTWAYS, INC | EDEN, NC | $6,093 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.177(g)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.177(g)(6).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.177(g) Safe operating procedure—single piece rim wheels 37 citations
- 1910.177(g)(8) 11 citations
- 1910.177(g)(10) 1 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
When may a tire be inflated?
Only when it is in a restraining device, behind a barrier, or bolted on the vehicle with the lug nuts fully tightened.
Can I inflate a loose tire on the floor?
No. The rule allows inflation only under one of the three listed conditions.
What counts as bolted on the vehicle?
The wheel must be bolted on with the lug nuts fully tightened.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.177 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-22
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.